title: Oral tonsils: an immunoperoxidase study.
abstract: Tissue morphometry and the distribution of cells containing immunoglobulin (Ig), J chain and secretory component (SC) were studied in eight oral tonsils. Quantitative immunohistochemistry revealed that IgG-containing cells predominated in all lymphoid compartments (follicles, extrafollicular areas and reticular epithelium) and that the IgG:IgA:IgM class ratios of the overall tonsillar immunocyte population were 13:8:2. Cells containing IgD and IgE were rare. IgG immunocytes showed no significant localisation within a given lymphoid compartment, whereas IgA cells were found predominantly in extrafollicular areas, especially adjacent to surface epithelium, and IgM cells were in follicles. J chain was present within IgM and some IgA cells. Tonsillar crypt and surface epithelium was negative for SC, suggesting that these structures are not directly involved in local mucosal immunity.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007144:Immunoglobulin J-Chains / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D012635:Secretory Component / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007144:Immunoglobulin J-Chains; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012635:Secretory Component